Richard Gere to venture into Bollywood?

By Hindustan Times

If the grapevine is to believed, Hollywood biggie Richard Gere may feature in I Am Kalam fame director Nila Madhab Panda's next, an untitled project based on the issue of world food security. Gere, a regular to India thanks to his Buddhist beliefs, was offered the role of a foreigner who visits India and gets involved with the socio-political set up of a village.

Panda, who enjoyed rave reviews for the critically acclaimed I Am Kalam, contacted Gere for the role through a common friend, said a statement. According to a source, the 62-year-old veteran was impressed with the script and consented to do the film, which will also star Harsh Mayar, the National award-winning child protagonist of I Am Kalam.

To be produced by a company from the Netherlands, the film's pre-production work is expected to begin this month, and Panda will shuttle between India, Amsterdam and Los Angeles for the shooting. If all goes well, singer-actor Will Smith might also come on board, says the source.